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Tag: air pollution delhi

  • Centre’s pollution watchdog lifts GRAP stage IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR amid improved AQI

    Centre’s pollution watchdog lifts GRAP stage IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR amid improved AQI

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    Amid worsening air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) area, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday revived the restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage IV. CAQM, in its latest order, said that ban on plying of non-BS VI diesel-run light motor vehicles in Delhi-NCR, entry of trucks into national capital is now revoked.

    CAQM order reads: “In wake of the Delhi AQI nearing the ‘Severe +’ Category (AQI >450), the GRAP Stage-IV actions were invoked on 03.11.2022 based on the AQI forecasts. The forecasts also indicated a significant improvement around 5th – 6th November, 2022, therefore, the sub-Committee while invoking Stage-IV of the GRAP, decided for a review of the situation on 6th November, 2022.”

    The CAQM sub-Committee had decided to revoke the order, issued on November 3, 2022, for actions under GRAP Stage-IV with immediate effect. It further added that actions under GRAP Stages-I to Stage-III will still remain in action and be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all agencies concerned in the NCR area. This is to ensure that the AQI levels do not slip further to the ‘Severe’/ ‘Severe +’ category.

    The GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in Delhi. It classifies the air quality in the Delhi-NCR under four stages: Stage I – ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III – ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV – ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI >450).

    The GRAP Stage IV’s primary focus is on vehicle restrictions, including entry of commercial trucks into Delhi, diesel commercial vehicles for intra-Delhi movements, non-BS VI passenger vans, and LMVs (Light Motor Vehicles) in Delhi.

    Here are the measures prescribed under GRAP stage IV, which are now no longer in effect:

    • Stop entry of truck traffic into Delhi (except for trucks carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services and all CNG / electric trucks).
    • Ban on plying of Delhi registered diesel operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGV) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services.
    • Ban on plying of 4-wheeler diesel LMVs in NCT of Delhi and Districts of NCR bordering Delhi, except BS-VI vehicles and vehicles used for essential / emergency services.
    • Close down all industries in NCR, even in areas that don’t have PNG infrastructure and supply but still running on fuels, other than the fuels as per the Standard list of approved fuels for NCR.
    • Ban C&D activities in linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, over bridges, power transmission, pipelines, etc.
    • NCR State Governments / GNCTD to decide on allowing the public, municipal and private offices to work on 50 per cent strength and the rest to work from home.
    • Central Government may decide on permitting work from home for central government offices.
    • State Governments may consider additional emergency measures like the closure of schools/ colleges/ educational institutions, closure of non-emergency commercial activities and plying of vehicles on an odd-even basis etc.

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  • ‘Shut schools, safety of children a matter of concern’: NCPCR writes to Delhi govt as air quality plunges

    ‘Shut schools, safety of children a matter of concern’: NCPCR writes to Delhi govt as air quality plunges

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    The air quality of Delhi and in the parts of the national capital region (NCR) is close to breaching the 500-mark and remained in the severe category throughout Thursday, revealed the Central Pollution Control Board data. Once the air quality index reaches above the 500-mark it will be in the ‘hazardous’ category.

    According to the experience in the previous few years, the two weeks between November 1 and November 15 are usually the most polluted air days in Delhi NCR. This suggests that the pollution levels will likely rise in the next few days.

    Amid concerns from many residents, especially parents of school-going children, several schools have taken several measures to protect children and have suspended outdoor activities along with introducing breathing exercises in classes.

    Anshu Mital, Principal of MRG School, Rohini said they are planning to distribute a manual or written guide to teach students what types of foods, drinks and behaviour they should adopt to ameliorate the situation we are living in.

    Sangeeta Hajela, Principal of DPS Indirapuram, said air pollution has become very rampant, especially during this season. “We have administered many steps to safeguard students. Teachers encourage students to have a balanced diet with nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables to increase the stability and viability of the lungs and liver,” Hajela added.

    “Anti-pollution masks are being distributed to students. Air purifiers have been placed at strategic locations to purify the environment. These steps will surely ensure good attendance and safeguard the health of our students,” she said.

    According to Alka Kapur, Principal of Modern Public school, Shalimar Bagh, the school has restricted outdoor activities. “Given the severity of the surge in hazardous pollution, we have temporarily restricted outdoor activities such as sporting events, cultural events, and assemblies,” Kapur added.

    “Likewise, we will place a greater emphasis on indoor activities such as indoor assemblies, cultural events, and extracurricular activities,” she said.

    The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had also asked the Delhi government to shut schools till air quality in the capital improves.
    Many schools have already ruled out a shutdown, saying it will disturb the pace of academic learning.

    Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson of NCPCR, in a tweet, has urged the Delhi government to consider shutting schools in the interest of children.

    He tweeted, “The safety of school children is a matter of concern due to the dangerous level of pollution in Delhi, so far no decision has been taken by the state government of Delhi. Children are in the wrath of toxic air on their way to school, in playgrounds. This negligence is wrong, @NCPCR_ is issuing notice on it.”

    Even the Delhi BJP has demanded the closing of schools for physical classes and conducting online teaching to protect children from air pollution.
    Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta, in a letter to Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena, raised the demand for the closing of schools.

    In addition to this, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had also suggested that “state governments may consider additional emergency measures like closure of schools/ colleges/ educational institutions, closure of non-emergency commercial activities and plying of vehicles on odd-even basis etc.”

    However, the Delhi government still hasn’t asked to close schools and colleges but is expected to close schools and colleges as the AQI level rises.

    The CAQM also said that the next comprehensive review is to be held on November 6, 2022, and further appropriate decisions on GRAP measures are to be taken based on the air quality forecast and other meteorological parameters.

    GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in Delhi. It classifies the air quality in the Delhi-NCR under four stages: Stage I – ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III – ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV – ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI >450).

    The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi on Thursday stood at 408 (‘Severe’) at 7 am and 364 (in the ‘Very Poor’ category) at 8 am, as per ANI. Usually, closure of the school is mandated when the AQI reaches the ‘Severe Plus’ category.

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